Strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawSixtyNine’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawSixtyNine’, particularly selected for its large conical fruit, open canopy, and long trusses, is disclosed.

Latin name:

Botanical classification: Fragaria x ananassa.

Varietal denomination: The varietal denomination of the claimed variety of strawberry plant is ‘DrisStrawSixtyNine’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cultivated strawberry is a hybrid species of the genus Fragaria that is grown worldwide for its fruit. Modern strawberry was first bred in Brittany, France, in the 18^(th) century by crossing Fragaria virginiana with Fragaria chiloensis. Strawberry fruit is an aggregate accessory fruit, with the fleshy part of the fruit being derived from the receptacle that holds the ovaries.

Strawberry varieties vary widely in color, size, shape, flavor, season of ripening, degree of fertility, and susceptibility to disease. Certain varieties vary in foliage, and some vary in the relative development of their reproductive organs. Typically, strawberry flowers appear hermaphroditic in structure, but function as either male or female. Generally, commercial production of strawberry plants involves propagation from runners and distribution as either plugs or bare root plants. Cultivation is either perennial or annual plasticulture. During the off season, strawberries can also be produced in greenhouses.

Strawberry fruit is widely appreciated for its characteristic bright red color, aroma, juicy texture, and sweetness. Strawberry fruit is a popular fruit that is generally consumed either fresh or in prepared foods, such as preserves and baked goods.

Strawberry is an important and valuable fruit crop. Accordingly, there is a need for new varieties of strawberry plants. In particular, there is a need for improved varieties of strawberry plant that are stable, high yielding, and agronomically sound.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to meet these needs, the present invention is directed to an improved variety of strawberry plant. In particular, the invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry plant (Fragaria x ananassa), which has been denominated as ‘DrisStrawSixtyNine’.

Strawberry plant variety ‘DrisStrawSixtyNine’ was discovered in Ventura County, Calif. in August of 2011, and originated from a cross between the proprietary female parent ‘783S 79’ (unpatented) and the proprietary male parent ‘566S 60’ (unpatented). ‘DrisStrawSixtyNine’ was first asexually propagated via stolons in McArthur, Shasta County, Calif. in 2011.

‘DrisStrawSixtyNine’ was subsequently asexually propagated via stolons, and underwent further testing at test plots in Ventura County, Calif. for five years (2011 to 2016). The present variety has been found to be stable and reproduce true to type through successive asexual propagations via stolons.

‘DrisStrawSixtyNine’ exhibits the following distinguishing characteristics when grown under normal horticultural practices in Ventura County, Calif.:

-   -   1. Semi-upright plant growth habit;     -   2. Inflorescence on the same level as foliage;     -   3. Achenes level with fruit surface; and     -   4. Partially remontant type of bearing.

‘DrisStrawSixtyNine’ was particularly selected for its large conical fruit, open canopy, and long trusses.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This new strawberry plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs which show fruit of the plant, flowers, leaves, and the plants. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs are of plants that are 19 weeks old.

FIG. 1 illustrates whole fruit of variety ‘DrisStrawSixtyNine’.

FIG. 2 illustrates longitudinal sections of fruit of variety ‘DrisStrawSixtyNine’.

FIG. 3 shows the upper surfaces of flowers of variety ‘DrisStrawSixtyNine’.

FIG. 4 shows the lower surfaces of flowers of variety ‘DrisStrawSixtyNine’.

FIG. 5 shows the upper surface of a leaf (bottom leaf) and the lower surface of a leaf (top leaf) of variety ‘DrisStrawSixtyNine’.

FIG. 6 shows a plant of variety ‘DrisStrawSixtyNine’ bearing fruit at various developmental stages.

FIG. 7 shows plants of variety ‘DrisStrawSixtyNine’.

FIG. 8 shows another view of plants of variety ‘DrisStrawSixtyNine’.

FIG. 9 shows another view of plants of variety ‘DrisStrawSixtyNine’.

FIG. 10 shows plots of plants of variety ‘DrisStrawSixtyNine’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘DrisStrawSixtyNine’. The data which define these characteristics is based on observations taken in Ventura County, Calif. from 2011 to 2016. This description is in accordance with UPOV terminology. Color designations, color descriptions, and other phenotypical descriptions may deviate from the stated values and descriptions depending upon variation in environmental, seasonal, climatic, and cultural conditions. ‘DrisStrawSixtyNine’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Unless noted otherwise, the botanical description of ‘DrisStrawSixtyNine’ was taken from plants that were 19 weeks old. The indicated values represent averages calculated from measurements of several plants. Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.) (2015 edition). Descriptive terminology follows the Plant Identification Terminology, An Illustrated Glossary, 2^(nd) edition by James G. Harris and Melinda Woolf Harris, unless where otherwise defined.

-   Classification:     -   -   Species.—Fragaria x ananassa.         -   Common name.—Strawberry.         -   Denomination.—‘DrisStrawSixtyNine’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—Proprietary strawberry plant variety ‘783S             79’ (unpatented).         -   Male parent.—Proprietary strawberry plant variety ‘566S 60’             (unpatented). -   Plant:     -   -   Height.—25.7 cm.         -   Diameter.—47.0 cm.         -   Number of crowns per plant.—5.         -   Growth habit.—Semi-upright. -   Stolon:     -   -   Average number of daughter plants per square foot.—15.         -   Diameter at bract.—3.48 mm.         -   Anthocyanin coloration.—Absent or very weak.         -   Length.—45.4 cm. -   Leaf:     -   -   Number of leaflets.—Three only.         -   Color of upper surface.—RHS 136A (Dark green).         -   Color of lower surface.—RHS 139C (Moderate yellow-green).         -   Variegation.—Absent.         -   Terminal leaflets.—Length: 7.2 cm. Width: 7.0 cm.             Length/width ratio: 1.0. Number of teeth/terminal             leaflet: 22. Shape of base: Rounded. Margin: Crenate. Shape             in cross section: Concave.         -   Petiole.—Length: 13.9 cm. Diameter: 4.30 mm. Attitude of             hairs: Horizontal. Bract frequency (number present on each             petiole): 1.6. Color: RHS 143B (Strong yellow-green).         -   Petiolule.—Length: 11.88 mm. Diameter: 2.71 mm. Color: RHS             143B (Strong yellow-green).         -   Stipule.—Length: 3.5 cm. Width: 7.07 mm. Anthocyanin             coloration: Medium. Anthocyanin color: RHS 58D (Deep             purplish pink). -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Position in relation to foliage.—Same level.         -   Pedicel.—Attitude of hairs: Upwards. Color: RHS 143B (Strong             yellow-green). Length: 39.8 mm. Diameter: 2.6 mm.         -   Flower.—Flower diameter (petal tip to petal tip on             non-flattened flower): 31.51 mm. Arrangement of petals:             Overlapping. Stamen: Present. Typical and observed number of             flowers per plant: 51.00.         -   Petal.—Length: 13.70 mm. Width: 14.40 mm. Length/width             ratio: 1.0. Typical and observed petal number: 7. Color of             upper side: RHS NN155B (White). Color of lower side: RHS             155B (Yellowish white). Petal shape (overall): Oval to             orbicular. Petal apex shape: Rounded. Petal base shape:             Obtuse.         -   Calyx.—Diameter (sepal tip to sepal tip, measured on back of             flower): 46.75 mm.         -   Sepal.—Length (sepal tip to point of attachment to             receptacle): 20.08 mm. Width: 10.74 mm. Typical and observed             sepal number: 11. Color of upper side: RHS 137A (Moderate             olive green). Color of lower side: RHS 137C (Moderate             yellow-green).         -   Reproductive organs.—Stigma: Stigma length: 0.4 mm. Stigma             width: 0.5 mm. Stigma shape: Rounded. Stigma color: RES 5A             (Brilliant greenish yellow). Style: Style length: 0.9 mm.             Style width: 0.1 mm. Style shape: Tubular. Style color: RHS             5A (Brilliant greenish yellow). Ovary: Ovary length: 5.2 mm.             Ovary width: 5.5 mm. Ovary color: RHS 145B (Light             yellow-green). Filament: Filament length: 1.5 mm. Filament             width: 0.5 mm. Number of stamens per flower: 79.5. Anther:             Anther length: 1.8 mm. Anther width: 1.2 mm. Anther shape:             Lanceolate to elliptic. Anther color: RHS 13A (Vivid             yellow). Pollen: Pollen color: RHS 13A (Vivid yellow).             Pollen amount: Moderate.         -   Fruiting truss.—Length: 16.8 cm. Diameter: 4.7 mm. Color:             RHS 14B (Strong yellow-green). -   Fruit:     -   -   Length.—42.11 mm.         -   Width.—38.87 mm.         -   Length/width ratio.—1.1.         -   Fruit hollow length.—16.56 mm.         -   Fruit hollow width.—13.02 mm.         -   Fruit hollow length/width ratio.—1.3.         -   Shape.—Conical.         -   Color.—RHS N45A (Moderate red).         -   Position of achenes.—Level with surface.         -   Position of calyx attachment.—Raised.         -   Attitude of sepals.—Upwards.         -   Color of flesh (excluding core).—RHS 34B (Vivid reddish             orange).         -   Color of core.—RHS 34C (Strong reddish orange). -   Production:     -   -   Flowering interval.—July to August.         -   Harvest interval.—September to December.         -   Type of bearing.—Partially remontant.         -   Productivity.—4,483 kg to 7,846 kg of fruit per acre per             season from 2.5-month-old plants when grown in Ventura             County, Calif. -   Resistance to abiotic stress, pests, and diseases:     -   -   Heat.—Moderately resistant.         -   Powdery mildew (Podosphaera macularis).—Moderately             susceptible.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

‘DrisStrawSixtyNine’ differs from the proprietary female parent ‘783S 79’ (unpatented) in that ‘DrisStrawSixtyNine’ has a less dense canopy and a larger fruit size when compared with ‘783S 79’.

‘DrisStrawSixtyNine’ differs from the proprietary male parent ‘566S 60’ (unpatented) in ‘DrisStrawSixtyNine’ has a less dense canopy and a larger fruit size when compared with ‘566S 60’.

‘DrisStrawSixtyNine’ differs from the commercial variety ‘DrisStrawTwentyOne’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,506) in that ‘DrisStrawSixtyNine’ has a semi-upright plant growth habit, inflorescence on the same level as foliage, achenes level with fruit surface, and a partially remontant type of bearing, whereas ‘DrisStrawTwentyOne’ has an upright plant growth habit, inflorescence beneath foliage, achenes below fruit surface, and a fully remontant type of bearing.

‘DrisStrawSixtyNine’ differs from the commercial variety ‘DrisStrawThirtyOne’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 24,317) in that ‘DrisStrawSixtyNine’ has a semi-upright plant growth habit, inflorescence on the same level as foliage, calyx attachment raised from fruit, and a partially remontant type of bearing, whereas ‘DrisStrawThirtyOne’ has an upright plant growth habit, inflorescence beneath foliage, calyx attachment level with fruit, and a fully remontant type of bearing. 

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawSixtyNine’ as shown and described herein. 